Three hurt as hanging bridge collapses in Antique

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Three persons were injured after the cable-stayed bridge they were crossing collapsed on June 15, 2022 in Laua-an, Antique.

The victims were identified as Michael Villabert, 22, a resident of Barangay 6, San Jose, Antique; Arlene Bangcaya, 22, of Barangay Necesito, Laua-an; and Allen Joy Necor, a resident of Barangay Intao, Laua-an.

Villabert, an employee of Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), suffered injuries on his face and head.

Bangcaya and Necor, both fourth year B.S. Entrepreneurship at University of Antique, are both on-the-job trainees at the DTI.

Bangcaya fractured her left thigh while Necor suffered wounds on her lips and eyebrow.

The three victims were with some DTI employees for the launching of the agency’s program at Barangay Latazon, a hinterland village around 15 kilometers from the town proper.

Senior Master Sergeant Cris Dava, Laua-an police investigator, said the launching program was already finished and the group was on its way to the town proper when the incident happened around 12 p.m.

Among the attendees were the representative of DTI regional director Rebecca Gascon, DTI

provincial director Dinda Tamayo, and local government unit (LGU) personnel.

They already passed through the hanging bridge when it collapsed.

Dava said the bridge’s approach gave way and the three fell from a height of around 7 meters and

landed on the riverbank.

Initial investigation showed that the bridge may have collapsed due to “overloading.”

Dava said motorcycles could even pass through the bridge.

But when the incident happened, the DTI team crossed on foot.